As thrilled as the world was to learn that America elected its first black President on Tuesday night, the reaction to the news by revelers at Grant Park was transcendent. Here’s what you didn’t see on TV: a quarter of a million people spontaneously counting down in unison while awaiting the West Coast polls to close.

Drawn from the YouTube feeds of my fellow Obama rally revelers (one word baby: ticketed!), here is how we who were down there experienced the moment when America changed forever. A big shout out to the Obama supporters who took these videos: Guys & Gals, yes we did!

And if you, dear reader, like the videos, consider clicking through to each person’s YouTube account and telling them so. (Note: Folks who cannot see the videos in their RSS or email feeds can click the link above each one to watch them directly on YouTube).

MICHAEL THADDEUS DOYLE

I'm an NYC-native, Puerto Rican, Venezuelan, Chilean, French, Jewish convert, Disney World fan with an unexpected last name, living in Chicago. I believe in social justice, big cities, and public transit. I did urban planning in New York. I do communications strategy in Chicago. I've written this blog since 2005. I’ve been with my partner since 2010. And in 2015, I reunited with my family after 20 years apart. Believe in the world you want to live in.